I spent every night at the Jack in the Box looking for a race. I had a dark green '65 Malibu SS in the '70's. Hanging out with Jim Grant and Bottle Bob. Best time of my life!
Worked at Hamilton Buick on VNB in the late 1960's. What a great time to be in Van Nuys every day, and stick around for the cruising on Wed night. In high school in the early 60's, we'd cruise on Friday nights after the football games. I remember waiting for hours to get into Bob's Big Boy drive-in.
I spent a lot of time there on the boulevard in 1966-1971 with my 1956 Chevy Nomad wagon. We used to cruise the whole thing and then wind up at the "Witch's House." Thanks for the post.... 50 years ago and it seems like yesterday!
Thanks for posting this. I remember it well. I grew up down there. Used to be every Wednesday. There I was with my '67 Camaro SS. Moved north to sf years ago but I'll never forget.
Einstein Jr I had a 68 Buick skylark. Nothing to brag about since it was just the former family car. Even b4 I had that I would cruise down that blvd. so much fun back then! Grew up in GHS and graduated in 72. Great times!
This is a wonderful blast from the past. Back in 1971 I'd roll out of Porter Ranch to Van Nuys Boulevard in my red 64 Corvette Roadster to meet up with a buddy with a 63 split window from Granada Hills what an incredible and magical time frame that was in the valley innovation !
I first drove VN Blvd in 1966 at age 16 until 1973 during my high school and college years. My first car was a '46 Chevy PU and later a 1967 Mustang FB 390GT both of which I still own today. Both cars cruised that strip many times over those years. Fond memories, Oh those were the days. Bob's Big Boy hanging out with friends, Van Nuys Drive in Theater, and Muntz Stereo on VN Blvd where I bought (and still have) my 4 and 8 track stereo and tapes. The Valley was the place to be back then.
Yeah "Jeff", I did the same route, Bob's Big Boy and Van Nuys Drive in. I forgot all about Muntz Stereo. I had a '57 Chevy Bel Air. It was beautiful. Red with a white top. I sold it later and bought a 1963 1/2 Falcon Sprint. That car got me lots of girls. I wish I would have kept them both. Yeah, Jeff....Happy Days for sure!
Wednesday after high school got out, (Granada Hills HS in my case) in the late 60's I would getmy friends on the phone and meet up someplace, figure out who's car was the coolest to go cruiseVan Nuys Blvd with and check out all the neat cars up and down the Blvd. Some nights it seamedthousands of cars were there. I heard of Woodward Ave years later, but of what I remember, nothing could be better than warmnights in the San Fernando Valley cruising Van Nuys with my friends and seeing the incrediblefree car show that was on that street.
Paul Rose. Well I am not from LA, but I did spend alot of time there in the late 70,s and early 80,s when I was in the Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton. I sure miss Van Nuys and the Boulevard something awful. All these beautiful Ladies, and beautiful memories I will always cherish. And I also miss cruising Sunset and Hollywood Boulevard,s and Downtown LA. Oh yeah. And don,t forget on top Molhouland Drive on Saturday nights with the Lady lookin down over the San Fernando Valley and Downtown LA and listening to the Mighty 1090, XPRS with DJ Shawn Green, or KRLA, Art Laboe. But I must confess. We were not paying any attention to the Valley or Downtown LA. We just wanted to explore the facts of life. Take care and God bless.
Do you remember the "Andy Andrews" car lot on Van Nuys Blvd 1 block south of Van Nuys Bobs in about 1962-3? The cars on that lot from hot rods to the new factory muscle cars would rival todays car shows. Dick Landy was 1 of the salesman there with his big cigar. Also Dale that later opened Bob & Dale Motors (car lot) on Van Nuys and Vanowen. Dale had a beautiful dark blue ford super stock (63 or64?) he raced. Dick Landy opened Automotive Research on Sepulveda. He is credited with making the first "funny car". People would look at it and say it looks funny. That's because he slyly moved the rear axle forward for weight distribution and redid the wheel wells and body work. My high school friend Willy Honsberger drove the "City of San Fernando" white 62 chevy super stock against guys like Don Nickleson, Hayden Proffit, etc. Good times.
Cruised my 66 Chevelle SS 396, deep brown with gold pearl and gold racing stripes, in the mid to late 70s (of course was primer for quite a while!). Great times, great memories of Van Nuys Blvd. (Oh yeah, and the street races later in the night).
So strange to imagine, I always wondered what Van Nuys Blvd. looked like and I don’t quite know why I never googled it before. My 24 year old ( his age in 1987 )brother was hit by a car and killed instantly on Van Nuys Blvd. He was visiting friends who used to live in Ottawa, where my brother was visiting from. I see why he visited the strip, it is so intriguing!
I grew up in the Valley lived in Woodland Hills ,had a boyfriend named Andy Clark and friends like Dale Garlits not sure of the spelling..But Dale had a awesome car Blue and it had a record player in there and the car went up and down..We called it Low riders!! We would ride every Friday night show off the car on Van Nuys Blvd....Best time in my life ...WOW It was awesome ...
4:07 is a great frame--I wish I had it as a stand alone picture. Love the cars shown: corvair, Chevy Impala and Falcon. Everything looks so fun and uncomplicated, like early Disneyland.
2:32 Just like my '67 Mustang FB 2+2 GT 390 -- Acapulco blue/black w/ lt blue pin stripes & "Crazy Horse" on the rear window. Wednesday night clubbin' with the 'stangs @ Praiswater Mortuary. Friday night cruisin' & racin' (Raymer @ the Fedco) looking out for the motorcycle cop with the kid skin gloves...a real ticket machine. My buddies Bruce - hot '40 Ford Coupe, and Dave - Galpin Ford racing's barely street legal Mach I. From McD's on Parthenia to Otto's Pink Pig. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida baby!
Grew up in the valley 2 miles from 'the blvd' cruised every wed for about 5 years till they started shutting it down. Some of us moved the cruising to Sat. for awhile. Good times. Even the cops were cool for a while checking out all the modified vehicles
Kerrie, For several years Van Nuys Blvd crushing was not allowed 🚫 I never heard of the reasoning, but I'm sure it had to do with drinking, drugs and just plain truble makers. Thankfully Van Nuys Blvd is once again opened to cruising🇺🇸
We owned it all, back then. Freedom was our mark, Crusin' was our trade. I had a 72 Plymouth Barracuda, and it had a top end over 160 mph. All my girlfriends got a speeding ticket with it, and so did I. I was tagged at 162 in a 55mph zone. It was over $800 in fines and I lost my license for 90 days back then. My girl friends didn't fair so well. But crusin down the blvd, we all knew everybody.
Too bad there isn't a tribute to "the diner", so popular in the 50's and 60's (Take a look at the ones in "Back to the Future" and "Happy Days" And "Grease" (the latter shows an icon of the early 60's jet age ... the Predicta TV). I'm sure that would produce another blast from the past :) Although I don't live in the States, I suspect Route 66 also has quite a few interesting diners... ?
How many Wend's nights, did we spend, cruising up and down Van Nuys blvd. I was lucky, it was the 70's, and we were the last of the cruiser's. Soon, the bangers came, drugs, hookers, guns, triple headed street lights, and cops everywhere. Then the final death blow, when they blocked the street off on Wend's and it was all over.
WOW I just read the letter from MARIE bOLT GUESS who I Am ? Yes Dale Garlits that brought back a lot of memories Hi Marie haven't seen or talked to you in many years if you read this contact me 1-25-2016 have a good one Dale
The best time of my life. 1977 Trans Am. It will never be the same.
I am so Glad yo had that moment Art Wise. It's a moment in history.
Cruised van Nuys Blvd many times ! Met some amazing people, loved the cars ! Brings back so many good memories
Sounds like so much fun. The boomer generation looked like fun. I wish I was born a boomer.
Now its all shit
Never forget those times!
I spent every night at the Jack in the Box looking for a race. I had a dark green '65 Malibu SS in the '70's. Hanging out with Jim Grant and Bottle Bob. Best time of my life!
Me Too, I raced bottle bob on woodly one night. 69 camaro, big block license plate "SMOKIN Z"
@IMxYOURxDADDY . That is very true and to the very point. And we who do care say, thank you DEMOCRATS.
I was so much older then
I'm younger than that now.
I saw myself and cried over the good times passed. Thank you.
the best years of my life 70s 80s, red 65 goat,ground shaker, name taker...
Late 70's and early 80's, a great time to in.
Worked at Hamilton Buick on VNB in the late 1960's. What a great time to be in Van Nuys every day, and stick around for the cruising on Wed night. In high school in the early 60's, we'd cruise on Friday nights after the football games. I remember waiting for hours to get into Bob's Big Boy drive-in.
I spent a lot of time there on the boulevard in 1966-1971 with my 1956 Chevy Nomad wagon. We used to cruise the whole thing and then wind up at the "Witch's House." Thanks for the post.... 50 years ago and it seems like yesterday!
Thanks for posting this. I remember it well. I grew up down there. Used to be every Wednesday. There I was with my '67 Camaro SS. Moved north to sf years ago but I'll never forget.
Einstein Jr I had a 68 Buick skylark. Nothing to brag about since it was just the former family car. Even b4 I had that I would cruise down that blvd. so much fun back then! Grew up in GHS and graduated in 72. Great times!
This is a wonderful blast from the past. Back in 1971 I'd roll out of Porter Ranch to Van Nuys Boulevard in my red 64 Corvette Roadster to meet up with a buddy with a 63 split window from Granada Hills what an incredible and magical time frame that was in the valley innovation !
Great combination of pictures and music!
I first drove VN Blvd in 1966 at age 16 until 1973 during my high school and college years. My first car was a '46 Chevy PU and later a 1967 Mustang FB 390GT both of which I still own today. Both cars cruised that strip many times over those years. Fond memories, Oh those were the days. Bob's Big Boy hanging out with friends, Van Nuys Drive in Theater, and Muntz Stereo on VN Blvd where I bought (and still have) my 4 and 8 track stereo and tapes. The Valley was the place to be back then.
Yeah "Jeff", I did the same route, Bob's Big Boy and Van Nuys Drive in. I forgot all about Muntz Stereo. I had a '57 Chevy Bel Air. It was beautiful. Red with a white top. I sold it later and bought a 1963 1/2 Falcon Sprint. That car got me lots of girls. I wish I would have kept them both. Yeah, Jeff....Happy Days for sure!
A lot of the Van Nuys Blvd. cruisers would come to Ventura and cruise Main St. on Friday nights.
Wednesday after high school got out, (Granada Hills HS in my case) in the late 60's I would getmy friends on the phone and meet up someplace, figure out who's car was the coolest to go cruiseVan Nuys Blvd with and check out all the neat cars up and down the Blvd. Some nights it seamedthousands of cars were there. I heard of Woodward Ave years later, but of what I remember, nothing could be better than warmnights in the San Fernando Valley cruising Van Nuys with my friends and seeing the incrediblefree car show that was on that street.
Paul Rose. Well I am not from LA, but I did spend alot of time there in the late 70,s and early 80,s when I was in the Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton. I sure miss Van Nuys and the Boulevard something awful. All these beautiful Ladies, and beautiful memories I will always cherish. And I also miss cruising Sunset and Hollywood Boulevard,s and Downtown LA. Oh yeah. And don,t forget on top Molhouland Drive on Saturday nights with the Lady lookin down over the San Fernando Valley and Downtown LA and listening to the Mighty 1090, XPRS with DJ Shawn Green, or KRLA, Art Laboe. But I must confess. We were not paying any attention to the Valley or Downtown LA. We just wanted to explore the facts of life. Take care and God bless.
Do you remember the "Andy Andrews" car lot on Van Nuys Blvd 1 block south of Van Nuys Bobs in about 1962-3? The cars on that lot from hot rods to the new factory muscle cars would rival todays car shows. Dick Landy was 1 of the salesman there with his big cigar. Also Dale that later opened Bob & Dale Motors (car lot) on Van Nuys and Vanowen. Dale had a beautiful dark blue ford super stock (63 or64?) he raced. Dick Landy opened Automotive Research on Sepulveda. He is credited with making the first "funny car". People would look at it and say it looks funny. That's because he slyly moved the rear axle forward for weight distribution and redid the wheel wells and body work. My high school friend Willy Honsberger drove the "City of San Fernando" white 62 chevy super stock against guys like Don Nickleson, Hayden Proffit, etc. Good times.
Great Video! Thanks for posting.
Cruised my 66 Chevelle SS 396, deep brown with gold pearl and gold racing stripes, in the mid to late 70s (of course was primer for quite a while!). Great times, great memories of Van Nuys Blvd. (Oh yeah, and the street races later in the night).
Chevrolet plant at 2:07. My 1971 Z/28 was built there.
Thanks for posting, it is hard to find pictures of that factory.
So strange to imagine, I always wondered what Van Nuys Blvd. looked like and I don’t quite know why I never googled it before. My 24 year old ( his age in 1987 )brother was hit by a car and killed instantly on Van Nuys Blvd. He was visiting friends who used to live in Ottawa, where my brother was visiting from.
I see why he visited the strip, it is so intriguing!
I grew up in the Valley lived in Woodland Hills ,had a boyfriend named Andy Clark and friends like Dale Garlits not sure of the spelling..But Dale had a awesome car Blue and it had a record player in there and the car went up and down..We called it Low riders!! We would ride every Friday night show off the car on Van Nuys Blvd....Best time in my life ...WOW It was awesome ...
I bought my 1963 Split Window Vette off the lot at Auto Trends as shone in this video.
4:07 is a great frame--I wish I had it as a stand alone picture. Love the cars shown: corvair, Chevy Impala and Falcon. Everything looks so fun and uncomplicated, like early Disneyland.
I miss the way the valley was in the 80's I grew up 8 miles from the encino velodrome. I simpler time.
2:32 Just like my '67 Mustang FB 2+2 GT 390 -- Acapulco blue/black w/ lt blue pin stripes & "Crazy Horse" on the rear window. Wednesday night clubbin' with the 'stangs @ Praiswater Mortuary. Friday night cruisin' & racin' (Raymer @ the Fedco) looking out for the motorcycle cop with the kid skin gloves...a real ticket machine. My buddies Bruce - hot '40 Ford Coupe, and Dave - Galpin Ford racing's barely street legal Mach I. From McD's on Parthenia to Otto's Pink Pig. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida baby!
Great car.
67’ Mustang FB 2+2 390 GT was beautiful and kind of underrated.
I remember when my Dad brought home a new one from the dealership for a weekend.
Grew up in the valley 2 miles from 'the blvd' cruised every wed for about 5 years till they started shutting it down. Some of us moved the cruising to Sat. for awhile. Good times. Even the cops were cool for a while checking out all the modified vehicles
I grew up in the area during the 80's and 90's and I heard of no one causing. Sounds like so much fun. Maybe we should bring it back.
Kerrie,
For several years Van Nuys Blvd crushing was not allowed 🚫
I never heard of the reasoning, but I'm sure it had to do with drinking, drugs and just plain truble makers.
Thankfully Van Nuys Blvd is once again opened to cruising🇺🇸
Gotta love Ric Ocasek! Great choice
It's just an irreplaceable time.....
2:02 omg its the toaster bus!....at least that's what i used to call it.
1968 drove a red & white 55 Chevy Belair on VNB many times. 73-82 w*rked VNB & Sherman Way.
We owned it all, back then. Freedom was our mark, Crusin' was our trade. I had a 72 Plymouth Barracuda, and it had a top end over 160 mph. All my girlfriends got a speeding ticket with it, and so did I. I was tagged at 162 in a 55mph zone. It was over $800 in fines and I lost my license for 90 days back then. My girl friends didn't fair so well. But crusin down the blvd, we all knew everybody.
Too bad there isn't a tribute to "the diner", so popular in the 50's and 60's (Take a look at the ones in "Back to the Future" and "Happy Days" And "Grease" (the latter shows an icon of the early 60's jet age ... the Predicta TV). I'm sure that would produce another blast from the past :) Although I don't live in the States, I suspect Route 66 also has quite a few interesting diners... ?
How many Wend's nights, did we spend, cruising up and down Van Nuys blvd. I was lucky, it was the 70's, and we were the last of the cruiser's. Soon, the bangers came, drugs, hookers, guns, triple headed street lights, and cops everywhere. Then the final death blow, when they blocked the street off on Wend's and it was all over.
Seems to be a post card. Maybe check with a post card collector!
You're my age
Cupids ftw
70s and especially 80s are a little late for Baby Boomers! More like 50s and 60s.
WOW I just read the letter from MARIE bOLT GUESS who I Am ? Yes Dale Garlits that brought back a lot of memories Hi Marie haven't seen or talked to you in many years if you read this contact me 1-25-2016 have a good one Dale